Last June the Moore County commissioners by a 3-2 vote advised Pinehurst that the water system was not for sale. This wise decision undoubtedly cost Commissioner Paul Helms his re-election bid.

When our new county commissioner is seated, this ill-conceived issue will be revisited, and the negotiations will be resumed.

Why does Pinehurst want to purchase the water/sewer system? Will the water be cheaper? No. Will the system be more reliable? No. Will the water be more pure and taste better? No. Will the system be better maintained? No. Will Pinehurst become water self-sufficient? Never.

Why, then? It must come down to controlling our own destiny (read growth control). What better way to control growth than managing the system so there is no water for growth. A building moratorium would be a given. Or raise the connection fees to $8,000 or $15,000. That would certainly discourage the building of those 1,800-square-foot spec homes.

I hope this issue is high on the agenda of the upcoming water conference being cosponsored by The Pilot. This disaster needs to be buried once and for all.

Jack C. McVey
Pinehurst